Because I feel I need quite a lot of coverage I tend to go for a heavy foundation which I’m not too fond of.  I would love to be one of those girls who can put on a tinted moisturiser and a tiny bit of concealer and be good to go but I’m not that blessed.

I’d heard a lot about B.B creams – seen the advertisements on TV and read articles about what miracle workers they were but I must admit I was slightly skeptical.  BB creams or Blemish Balms were originally developed in the 1950s by a German dermatologist and became popular first in South Korea and later around Asia.  BB creams are a multi-purpose product combining skin care with makeup and Garnier (the one I’d been considering trying)  claims theirs  instantly perfects skin by giving sheer coverage, blurring imperfections, soften lines and provides 24 hour hydration and SPF 15.

I wandered into my local Boots, read the back of the box, tried the tester on the back of my hand (it covered a burn scar on my hand quite nicely) and then I backed away slowly.  This routine of me flirting with the idea of buying it carried on for quite some time.  Until a month ago when I finally gave in and purchased the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfecter.   I am very fair skinned so opted for the 02 – Light formulation.

The formulation is rather thick – thicker than my usual foundation – and I apply it as I would normally apply a foundation: with a brush but that’s just my personal preference as I find I don’t get an even coverage if I apply it with my fingers.

Pros:

- I did notice an improvement in my skin condition.

- Is great when I don’t want to wear too much makeup

Cons:

- The formulation isn’t as light-weight as I would like.

- The colour is slightly too dark for my skin colour.

Over all I would definitely recommend this product to a friennd.

It’s not often we find Cheryl looking anything other than gorgeous. Whether its a new do, a new shoe or sometimes even just getting off a plane after a long flight. A natural beauty she certainly is.

Caught filming her new video Call My Name in downtown LA yesterday, Cheryl is styled in some very cool mis-matched outfits. Brights are the way forward and she has definitely embraced this trend. I mean, those SHOES! #PleaseMayWeBorrowThem?!

She stepped out with those famous tumbling locks cut in with a floppy full fringe, golden tanned skin, and a pair of tinsy tiny hotpants – in leopard print, of course!

But fear not, it’s not long before Cheryl steps into a pair of wedged trainers and MC Hammer style bottoms, well, if anyone was going to get away with it…

Cole announced earlier this year that her lead single will be called Call My Name, and it is due to premier on BBC Radio 1 on 20 April.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2123466/Cheryl-Cole-shows-tanned-toned-body-films-new-music-video.html#ixzz1qn0qmiGS

Tania Collins, Fashion and Lifestyle writer

Strong, winged eyeliner, defined brows and red lips is a classic look which never goes out of style. Marilyn Monroe fascinated her own generation and continues to fascinate, she was after all a beautiful, husky-voiced enigma. Fifty years after her death Marilyn continues to be the inspiration for books, fashion and movies. Marilyn never really goes out of fashion and her makeup look is as classic as any of her movies. Marilyn worked with her trusted makeup artist Allan ‘Whitey’ Snyder for the majority of her career, they meet when he did her makeup for one of her very first screen tests. Marilyn and Whitey worked together to perfect what would become her signature look. Their friendship lasted until her death with Whitey doing her funeral makeup.

Recently MAC cosmetics announced their plans to launch a Marilyn inspired limited edition collection. The collection aims to help achieve the look of Marilyn and MAC is teaming up with Authentic Brands Group LLC who have acquired Marilyn Monroe’s estate to create the collection.

The collection will comprise of 30 items – I’m anticipating dark, smokey eyeshadows and red, red creamy lipsticks. The collection will be in stores worldwide in October.

Until then, here are some of the products Marilyn favoured and some of her makeup secrets:

 * Marilyn liked to use either Vaseline or Nivea moisturiser in a thick layer to create a dewy base.

* Marilyn was once quoted as wearing Chanel No5 and only Chanel No5 to bed.

* For Marilyn’s pout Whitey would use a pencil to outline the lips, a dark shade on the outer corners, lighter shades in the middle, he would also dab a white eyeshadow on the centre of her lower lip to create the illusion of a fuller lip.  Max Factor and GUERLAIN were two of her favourite brands.

* For the eyes white shadow was used to open up the eye, the rims would be lined with white eyeliner. Rather than a black pencil, a dark brown shadow was used to draw a line close to the upper lashes and wing it out. A line was also drawn on the lower lashes winging that out and then the space between the two wings were filled with white liner, this was to create the illusion of shadows from her lashes. A dot of red liner was applied to the inner corner to make the whites of the eye appear whiter.

1. To achieve a shiny, bouncy style, start with a thorough shampoo using lightweight products that won’t weigh down your hair, such as John Frieda Full Repair Full Body Shampoo and Conditioner, and then towel dry the hair.

2. The key to getting a free-flowing style that also has body and romantic curls is blow-drying the hair with a product that provides both hold and body. John Frieda Protecting Root Lift Foam can help you achieve body near the root; it also acts as a dry hair treatment by protecting the ends of your hair from heat damage. Smooth over wet hair and then do an upside down blow out with a round brush.

3. Once you have shampooed, conditioned, and blown the hair dry, the only step left is to set your hair with a few large rollers to add a bit of drama. When you’re ready to remove them, remember to tousle the hair with your fingers (don’t use a brush) so that your style looks sexy and slightly messy.

After you’ve perfected this spring-ready style, try to prolong it by adding bobby pins or a flirty headband!

Jennifer Lilley, Fashion and Beauty Writer

A survey carried out by Vitality Live found the true extent of our make up dependency in the UK.

70% of women would not be happy to go to work without a full face of make up, 91% would rather cancel the all important first date than go make up free, 31% wouldn’t venture to the gym bare faced and 1 in 6 of us wouldn’t even answer the front door (you never know who might be there!).

In fact, the survey suggested that many of us find going to work without any make up on more stressful than public speaking or even attending a new job interview. Make up was top of the priority list when leaving the house over other daily essentials such as bank cards and cash.

In the UK, our top make up bag, must haves include mascara, lipgloss, foundation, concealer and eyeliner with on average the women of the UK spending around 21 minutes applying a ‘full face’ of make up giving our male counter parts half an hour longer in bed. What ever happened to beauty sleep?

The poll also showed that the average monthly spend per person on our favourite make up brands is £25. That equates to £300 a year, or £2,156,875 every hour collectively between UK women.

But it’s time to down the brushes ladies, and embrace the real natural look, with ‘National No Make Up Day’ being ‘celebrated’ on Thursday 22^nd March. More than half of the women surveyed where happy to be around friends, family and their partner make up free so why get so done up for work? Who are you trying to impress?

www.vitalitylive.co.uk

Sabina Ventriglia, Editor of ESVIE

If you’re wanting to update your Spring beauty bag, this product should definitely find it’s way there. Clinique’s ‘Almost Lipstick’ range is perfect for creating that fresh faced look, where the key is to look as “natural” as possible.

This balm looks like a lipstick, applies like a lipstick, but the finish simply isn’t as dense as a lipstick. When applied if feels more like a balm with a sheer tint of colour to give your lips that ‘just bitten’ look. Unlike the lip pens that are available from other brands, this balm moisturises your lips to keep them supple and smooth. No chapped lips here thank you very much! Definitely worth a go…

Available in 8 shades, £16.

She started of a true red head, moving on to a sexy brunette before trying out a rebellious blonde. But now Miss Lohan has found herself doing a full circle and going back to her roots. Personally I can’t decided which I prefer, although do think she should give her hair a rest! Maybe even a good cut since she’s clearly having a bit of a Spring Clean with her look!

What’s your preference?

This season is all about the pout and how better to compliment this seasons floral prints than with an orchard inspired, flower petal lip.

Parabal Gurung’s Spring 2012 catwalk show presented the quirky look with bright fuchsia, outer edged lips, bleeding into deep plum tones on the inner lip.

The graduated colour is created through the use of dark eyeliner around the opening of the lips followed by a dark purple, magenta and bright pink lip colour, all seamlessly blended to create the orchard lip. Sounds simple enough, but this look takes a lot of practice and artistic flare, though the final subtle but gorgeous look, is well worth the effort.

An extra tip is to slightly extend your own natural lip line through the use of a lip liner matching the final bright pink colour to give yourself slightly more surface area to work with and also try not to have your chosen shades be poles apart on the colour spectrum. The closer the match the easier to blend.

No need for gloss to finish off. Keep the look matte to maintain the multi-dimensional look.

An amazing look when perfected but difficult to maintain all night (unless you plan to spend most of it in front of a mirror). Eating, drinking, kissing you name it causes smudging and the damage is irreversible. Back to square one. Well worth a try though just make sure you have all your photos taken before you leave the house.

Following in the glam footsteps of Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper, and Ru Paul, the unstoppable Nicki Minaj has teamed up with Ricky Martin who, ‘Dare You to be Bold. Be Beautiful. Be Safe’ in the new 2012 Mac Viva Glam campaign supporting the MAC AIDS Fund.

Nicki and Ricky looks amazing fronting the new campaign and promoting Nicki’s pink satin lipshade and Ricky’s colourless lip conditioner with 100% of each sale going straight to helping those of all ages, races and sexes affected by HIV and AIDS.

My MAC sources tell me that the long awaited lipstick and lip conditioner are already available in the US and will be available in the UK March 2012

www.maccosmetics.co.uk

The Muppet Show was big when I was a child and whenever it came on I would be glued to the screen.  I loved Kermit’s exasperation with trying to wrangle the muppets, Fozzie bear’s bad but funny jokes, the swedish chef making chocolate moose by putting chocolate on an actual moose.  Most of all I loved Miss Piggy – her undying devotion (sometimes unwanted) to Kermit, her fierceness, her self-confidence and the fact she could kick a little butt when necessary.  And she was also the most glamorous pig – decked out in full length gloves and pearls.    Now the fierce pig is a beauty icon teaming up with M.A.C cosmetics to create a Miss Piggy mini-collection.

The collection consists of just three products:

An eyeshadow aptly named Miss Piggy Pink (£11.50)  - which is a frosty pink – reminisent of a fun bubblegum pink.

Penultimate Eyeliner in rapid black (£14)

And finally the ultimate Miss Piggy product is the 36 lashes (£10) which help create the flirty Miss Piggy look.

The collection is avaliable online at MAC